Centerpoint Medical Center's Open Heart Surgery

Centerpoint Medical Center’s Cardiac Surgery Program has been awarded the highest national ranking – 3 stars – from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for 2009-2010. The STS comprehensive rating system compares the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country and only 12 percent of hospitals nationwide received this year’s STS 3-star rating.

“We are very pleased to receive this recognition from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons,” says Carolyn Caldwell, Centerpoint Medical Center CEO. “Our patients and community deserve the best care and this recognition clearly places Centerpoint Medical Center among the top programs in the nation. Receiving this recognition shows our commitment to providing the best cardiovascular care for our community.”

STS developed this comprehensive rating system to allow for nationwide comparisons regarding the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals. The system analyzes many different national cardiac surgical data categories on a yearly basis to determine which hospitals meet its stringent qualifications for the 3-star rating. This data includes avoidance of mortality, avoidance of major complications, use of arteries as bypass grafts and assuring that all appropriate (evidence-based) medications are given pre- and post-operatively.

A non-profit organization, the STS represents more than 5,400 surgeons, researchers and allied health professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible heart, lung, esophageal and other surgical procedures for the chest. Founded in 1964, the mission of STS is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research and advocacy.